Final look: Seahawks offseason questions

August 3, 2015 4:34 PM

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What we asked then:1. Can the Hawks keep Byron Maxwell?

Maxwell stepped into Brandon Browner’s starting cornerback role over the past two seasons, filling in nicely across the field from Richard Sherman. In fact, he’s probably played well enough to price himself out of Seattle. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Maxwell will likely find a lucrative offer elsewhere — Jacksonville and Atlanta (two teams led by former Seahawks defensive coordinators) are among the teams with rumored interest — so look for Tharold Simon to enter the 2015 season as the presumed starter in Maxie's place.

It became apparent that keeping Maxwell was going to be all but impossible for Schneider and Seattle. Philadelphia made no secret of its interest in the 6-foot-1, 207-pounder and reached an agreement with him during the “legal tampering period” in the days leading up to the official start of free-agency. He ended up officially signing a six-year, $63 million deal, with a whopping $25 million guaranteed, on March 10. The Seahawks, meanwhile, signed former Eagles starter Cary Williams to a three-year, $18 million deal in March. The seven-year vet is the likely Seattle's starter at this point.

The Hawks’ 2011 first-round pick has largely been a disappointment, but he also enjoyed the best season of his career in 2014, starting 13 regular-season games and all three postseason contests at left guard. Seattle didn’t pick up Carp’s fifth-year option last offseason, meaning he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. It’s debatable if he’ll get a lot of offers on the open market, and the Seahawks could plug in Alvin Bailey as his permanent replacement. Still, there's something to be said for cohesiveness, particularly along the O-line.

What we asked then:
2. What about James Carpenter?
The... Photo-8409169.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:2. What about James Carpenter?

Like Maxwell, Carpenter was basically spoken for once free agency began, getting a four-year, $19.1 million deal (with $7.5 million guaranteed) from the New York Jets on March 10. Bailey, meanwhile, had a great offseason for Seattle, showing off his maturity and dedication by dropping about 25 pounds. He's the presumed starter at this point, though three rookies -- Terry Poole, Mark Glowinski and Kristjan Sokoli -- could challenge him for playing time.

What we know now:
2. What about James Carpenter?
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What we asked then:3. Will Kevin Williams be back?

The 34-year-old Williams was Seattle’s biggest splash in free agency in 2014, signing a one-year deal in June to try to make it to the Super Bowl for this first time in a standout 12-year career. After falling just short of winning a championship, it’s possible Williams could come back for one more year -- and one more shot -- but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him walk away from the game.

Williams wanted to come back to Seattle, but the team decided to pass and he signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints instead. Seattle did address the interior defensive line in free agency, however, signing former Cleveland Browns tackle Ahtyba Rubin (above). He and Brandon Mebane -- returning after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve in 2014 -- should start in the middle for the Hawks' defense, with players like Jordan Hill and D'Anthony Smith figuring in the mix as well.

What we know now:
3. Will Kevin Williams be back?... Photo-8409172.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:4. And the other free agents?

Maxwell and Carpenter may be the biggest names among the Hawks’ free agents, but they are by no means the only ones. Several key reserves will be unrestricted free agents, including quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, safety Jeron Johnson, linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive end O’Brien Schofield. Some — like Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Smith (above) and Schofield — seem likely to leave for a spot where they have a better chance at earning a starter's paycheck.

What we asked then:
4. And the other free agents?
Maxwell... Photo-8409173.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:4. And the other free agents?

The Hawks lost a fair amount of depth via free agency, with Johnson, Smith (above) and Schofield leaving to compete for starting jobs with Washington, Oakland and Atlanta, respectively. The Seahawks also lost tight end Tony Moeaki (Atlanta) and wide receiver/punt returner Bryan Walters (Jacksonville). After checking around the rest of the league and briefly flirting with the Miami Dolphins, Jackson re-signed in June.

What we know now:
4. And the other free agents?
The Hawks... Photo-8409174.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:5. How soon will injured Hawks make it back?

Three of Seattle’s highest profile players will be recovering form serious injuries this offseason. Cornerback Richard Sherman (ligament damage in elbow) and safeties Kam Chancellor (torn MCL) and Earl Thomas (torn shoulder labrum) will each need time to recover this offseason, with at least Thomas (above) requiring surgery. The recovery for Thomas’ injury could take anywhere from six to eight months, so there’s a chance he could miss the early part of the 2015 season.

What we asked then:
5. How soon will injured Hawks make it... Photo-8409175.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:5. How soon will injured Hawks make it back?

Sherman and Chancellor both avoided surgery, while Thomas (above) underwent his procedure in February. The Seahawks initially believed he would be ready for the start of the regular season, but that an iffy proposition at this point. Cornerback Tharold Simon (shoulder), wide receiver Paul Richardson (knee) and cornerback Jeremy Lane (knee, arm) are all still out. Simon should return sometime in the preseason, while the others seem destined to miss a chunk of regular-season action.

What we know now:
5. How soon will injured Hawks make it... Photo-8409176.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:6. When does Wilson’s new deal get done?

With Russell Wilson entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Seahawks will undoubtedly attempt to extend the franchise quarterback’s contract this offseason — just like they did with Thomas and Sherman last year. He figures to get a deal that will make him one of the highest paid players in the league at $20 million-plus per season, but it will be interesting to see if GM John Schneider can structure it in a way to give them salary cap flexibility over the next few seasons.

What we asked then:
6. When does Wilson’s new deal get... Photo-8409177.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:6. When does Wilson’s new deal get done?

How could we have known things would go down to the final moment? Wilson's contract negotiations with the Seahawks dominated the offseason headlines, with reports coming out that a deal was close, then unlikely to happen, and everything in between. The two sides agreed to a four-year extension worth $87.6 million just hours before a Friday deadline, when negotiations would have been tabled until after the season. Signing Wilson allows the team to plan for the future and rewards a player who's meant everything to Seattle.

What we know now:
6. When does Wilson’s new deal get done?... Photo-8409178.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:7. What about Bob?

But Wilson isn’t the only player entering the final year of his rookie contract, with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner’s deal up after the 2015 season as well. There seems to be little chance that Seattle lets him play out his contract, as he proved just how important he was to the Hawks’ defense this year — the team was 11-3 in games he started, 3-2 without him — while earning All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. Expect his new deal to be done right around the draft.

What we asked then:
7. What about Bob?
But Wilson isn’t... Photo-8409179.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:7. What about Bob?

Wagner's contract was worked out just a couple of days after Wilson's. The All-Pro became the highest-paid middle linebacker in the NFL after signing a four-year, $43-million deal. The Seahahwks now have six players averaging over $10 million per year, but safety Kam Chancellor isn't one of them. He's holding out to get more than the four-year, $28 million deal he signed in 2013.

What we know now:
7. What about Bob?
Wagner's... Photo-8409180.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:8. Will Marshawn re-up?

Aside from Wilson and Wagner, several more key Seahawks will be entering the last year of their contracts in 2015, including Marshawn Lynch, who’s been the heart and soul of Seattle’s offense over the past four seasons. The team and Lynch’s representatives have reportedly been in extension talks for weeks, but no agreement has been worked out yet. If the two parties can’t agree on a number, could “Beast Mode” simply walk away from the game, as some have speculated?

After a month of will-he/won’t-he drama, Lynch signed a new three-year deal with Seattle following a meeting between the running back and his agent and Seahawks owner Paul Allen, Schneider and Carroll on March 6. Lynch’s new contract guarantees him $12 million in 2015, plus it gives him the option of returning in 2016 and 2017 for an additional $16 million if he so desires. It’s possible we’ll have Lynch retirement drama again next offseason, but he’s in the fold for 2015.

What we know now:
8. Will Marshawn re-up?
After a month... Photo-8409182.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:9. And the rest?

Aside from Wilson, Wagner and Lynch, a whopping seven Hawks starters will be entering the final years of their contracts, including left tackle Russell Okung and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (eight if you count nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane). Schneider will likely exercise the fifth-year option on 2012 first-round pick Bruce Irvin, putting off the decision of whether or not to re-sign him for one more year.

What we asked then:
9. And the rest?
Aside from Wilson,... Photo-8409183.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:9. And the rest?

The decision surrounding Irvin’s fifth-year option wasn’t as cut and dried as we made it sound in February. The move would cost the Hawks nearly $8 million against the cap in 2016, which — along with the Wagner deal and the extension K.J. Wright signed last year — would make Seattle’s linebacking corps very expensive. That turned out to be too pricey for the Seahawks, who declined his option after the draft in May.

What we know now:
9. And the rest?
The decision... Photo-8409184.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:10. Which veterans won’t return?

Some of those players may not be back in 2015 due to inflated salary cap numbers and the need for the Seahawks to clear up room for longterm deals for their younger stars. That happened last year with defensive end Red Bryant and wide receiver Sidney Rice, and this year’s most likely candidates to be released are Mebane (cap number of $5.7 million), tight end Zach Miller ($4 million) and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel ($3.625 million).

We were right on two of three. The Hawks released Miller on March 6, just days before they acquired All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans. They then cut McDaniel (above, right) on Sunday after announcing Wagner's deal. The interior of the Seahawks line will be a position to watch without Kevin Williams (above, left) and McDaniel, the team's starter for the second half of 2014.

With Kris Richard reportedly tabbed to take over defensive coordinator duties from the departed Dan Quinn, the Seahawks have presumably taken care of their biggest offseason coaching question. But with Richard vacating his job as secondary coach and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. off to Oakland to run the Raiders defense, there are a couple of holes on the staff yet to fill.

What we asked then:
11. How does the coaching shuffle work... Photo-8409188.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:11. How does the coaching shuffle work itself out?

Richard was indeed named defensive coordinator on Feb. 9, the same day the Hawks hired former NFL linebacker Michael Barrow to replace Norton as linebackers coach. He’ll be assisted by former Seahawks star Lofa Tatupu (above). Rocky Seto was named assistant head coach/defense a few days later, and the Hawks’ other new assistants include Pete’s son Brennan Carroll (assistant offensive line), Dwaine Board (assistant defensive line), Chris Cash (assistant secondary cornerbacks) and Andre Curtis (assistant secondary safeties). Offensive assistant Dave Canales took over at wide receivers coach after Kippy Brown retired.

What we know now:
11. How does the coaching shuffle work... Photo-8409189.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we asked then:12. How do the Hawks move forward after an agonizing Super Bowl XLIX loss?

This question won’t be answered in the offseason, but it will likely be hanging over the team all the way through the 2015 season. The 2014 Seahawks accomplished so much, becoming the first team in a decade to earn a repeat trip to the Super Bowl, but there will be some who believe the team can’t come back from such a gut-wrenching defeat. Can the Hawks bounce back? Only time will tell.

What we asked then:
12. How do the Hawks move forward after... Photo-8409190.114549 - seattlepi.com

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What we know now:12. How do the Hawks move forward after an agonizing Super Bowl XLIX loss?

This answer will obviously play out throughout the year, but the team doesn't appear to be suffering from a post-Super Bowl hangover. In fact, the narrow defeat may help galvanize the squad moving forward and give them purpose. “I want our whole organization to show off how to overcome stuff,” head coach Pete Carroll recently told Sports Illustrated. “I want us to demonstrate resilience."